It is with great sadness that the Museum reports the death of our volunteer and friend Derek Crowley, on 24th February, aged 81, know to us always as ‘Del’. A wonderful husband to Sue and loving father to Jane and Tina.
Before joining us here with wife Sue at the Museum, Del served in the Royal Navy, going on to work in banking, a ‘Red Arm’ at the courts at the Old Bailey, and with the vehicles of London City Police. Also a Sea Cadet leader for many years, Del helped young people learn about and enjoy life on the water.
On moving to Okehampton, Del and Sue joined what was originally Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Heritage & Learning Resources in 2011, which has evolved to become the Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall, now a registered charity. Del was on the driving pool for the Museum van and, along with other staff and volunteers, he and Sue regularly attended regional events to raise the profile of police heritage. Del and Sue worked for years on our collections at Okehampton, attended important Blue Light Days and helped stage our exhibitions. He was a particular authority on police uniforms, identifying, sorting, and organising the correct storage of this precious collection.
We will miss so much about Del – his expertise, his humour, his shaggy dog stories, and most of all his company. Volunteer Keith Tester worked with Del for almost 2 years and says he will miss his ‘ole mucker’.
Our condolences to Sue, Jane, Tina, and the rest of the family including Beau. Fair winds and following seas.
